More women employed

Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports that the number of working women has risen more rapidly over the past decade than the number of working men. In the second quarter (Q2) 2015, the employed labour force included more than 3.8 million women, versus 3.4 million in 2005. The male employed labour force included 4.5 million individuals, as against 4.4 million ten years ago.

More than 3.8 million

Last year, the number of working women briefly dipped under 3.8 million. The number of women employed in care and welfare fell noticeably, but this year the number of working women again exceeded 3.8 million. It should, however, be borne in mind that three-quarters of employed women are part-timers, versus only one-quarter of men. In Q2 2015, employment among men and women increased by 24 thousand and 84 thousand respectively relative the same period last year.

Employment down among 25 to 44-year-olds, up among over-45s

Employment among 45 to74-year-old women increased by 462 thousand compared to 2005, partly because the over-45 population is growing, partly because people tend to continue working to a later age. As a result, the labour participation rate is rising. The number of employed or unemployed in the population (gross labour participation) has risen to just over half among 45 to 74-year-old women. The gross labour participation rate among men rose less rapidly, but the ratio is still considerably higher (two in three) for men than for women.

Due to ageing of the population, the number of 25 to 44-year-olds in paid work is shrinking. The decrease was smaller among women than among men, because the gross labour participation rate in this age group has remained fairly stable since the onset of the crisis, while the labour participation rate among men declined. Prior to 2009, the labour participation rate and the number of employed people in the age group 25-44 had increased.

Increase across all occupations in the past year

The age categories 15-24 and 45-74 predominantly accounted for the increase in working women in the past year. In education and commercial and administrative jobs, there was a relatively strong increase across all age groups. The number of young retail shop assistants grew sharply. Nearly half of young women in commercial jobs are shop assistants. In the age category 45-74, there was a substantial increase in the sector services, like the sector hotels and restaurants.